The European Parliament last week voted overwhelmingly in favour of reinstating a so-called ‘repairs clause’ for cars into a proposed directive on the protection of designs.

But even if MEPs get their way – which remains doubtful – the amended directive would not cover motorbikes.

The clause at the centre of controversy, which EU internal market ministers had deleted, aims to give independent producers the right to trade in car body-parts, while paying a “reasonable” fee to the manufacturer of the vehicle as compensation for the original investment in design.

Campaigners argue that this would ensure sufficient competition to keep car repair and insurance costs down.

But EU governments rejected the repairs clause first time around and are unlikely to be easily swayed by last week’s parliamentary vote. Member states’ representatives will meet in the middle of next month to decide whether to accept the MEPs’ position, but tough conciliation negotiations between the Parliament and the Council of Ministers are widely expected.

Rupert Hughes of the European Campaign for the Freedom of Automotive Parts and Repair Market said his organisation hoped the firm position adopted by the Parliament would “make the member states think again and adopt the legislation without any further problems”.

Meanwhile, the Federation of European Motorcyclists will try to use the negotiations to get a better deal for its members. MEPs voted against a special amendment for motorbikes and, as the clause currently stands, they will not necessarily be covered as some of their parts are visible and some are not.

“It is crazy to think that car consumers get benefits and we do not,” said the federation’s Simon Milward. “We have been left behind and if we do not get some kind of deal, thousands of motorcyclists will suffer.”

Milward claimed that Spanish, German and French MEPs had been put under heavy pressure to oppose the motorcycle amendment before last week’s vote.